Neoregelia plant named &#39;VD001&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Neoregelia  cultivar named ‘VD001’ is disclosed, characterized by very bright pink foliage margins and significant contrasting foliage color which is maintained under a variety of conditions. The new variety is a  Neoregelia , suitable for ornamental plant purposes.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Neoregelia hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘VD001’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a whole plant mutation occurring among tissue cultureplants of Neoregelia ‘Voodoo’ Doll’. The initial identification of thesport was made in Florida, with the tissue culture mutant then sent toHawaii. The inventor then observed and propagated the clone to assessstability. Selection of ‘VD001’ was made during 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘VD001’ was first performed inby vegetative cuttings in 2014 in Hawaii. ‘VD001’ has been reproducedover 6 generations and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘VD001’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘VD001’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘VD001’ as a new and distinct Neoregeliacultivar:

1. Bright hot pink margins.

2. Margin coloration is maintained in different light levels.

3. Margin coloration is maintained under different fertilizer regimes.

4. Unique and significant contrasting coloration of foliage.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘VD001’ are similar to the parent variety inmost horticultural characteristics, however, the new variety differs inthe following:

1. Marginated coloration, the parent variety has solid leaf coloration.

2. Ease of bright coloration development: the parent variety does noteasily develop an attractive bright color.

3. Bright color begins earlier in the new variety, when produced fromcuttings.

4. The new variety has a more significant contrasting coloration offoliage.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘VD001’ can also be compared to it Neoregelia ‘Luna Marginated’,unpatented. The varieties are similar in some horticulturalcharacteristics, however, the new variety differs in the following:

1. Leaves of the new variety are bronze/green/purple, whereas foliage ofthe comparator is green with pink.

2. The new variety has a much more intense pink margination.

3. Overall coloration of the new variety is deeper.

‘VD001’ can also be compared to it Neoregelia ‘Raphael’, unpatented. Thevarieties are similar in some horticultural characteristics, however,the new variety differs in the following:

1. Leaves of the ‘Rafael’ change to green and white under low lightconditions, the new variety maintains its coloration better in lowlight.

2. The new variety has a much more intense pink margination.

3. Center leaf color of the new variety is significantly darker.

4. Older foliage of the comparator turns green, the new varietymaintains its contrasting coloration with age.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘VD001’ grown in a greenhouse. This plant isapproximately 1 year old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph wastaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘VD001’ plants grown in a climate controlledgreenhouse in Hawaii. Temperatures ranged from approximately 18° C. to22° C. at night to 18° C. to 22° C. during the day. No artificial light,photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Neoregelia hybrid ‘VD001’-   Propagation:    -   -   Time to rooting.—2 months from a 2 year old tissue culture            at approximately 20 to 22° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous. Free Branching.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Flat rosettes around a single axis.        -   Plant shape.—Flattened sphere.        -   Height.—Approximately 18.0 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 58 cm.        -   Normal pot size.—6 inch and larger.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Branching characteristics.—Upright, non-branching.        -   Number of leaves per plant.—Approximately 30.        -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 1 year.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Whorled. Average Length: Average range 20            to 28 cm. Average Width: Average range 6.0 to 7.5 cm. Shape            of blade: Oblong. Aspect: Slightly recurved. Angle of            attachment: Approximately 0° to 15° degrees from center of            plant. Nearly flat. Apex: Short apiculate. Base: Decurrent            Margin: Evenly and sharply serrate. Texture of top surface:            Smooth, moderately glossy. Texture of bottom surface:            Smooth, glossy. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S.            Main color between Red-Purple 72B and N74A. Thin stripes            near Greyed-Green N189A, thicker stripes near Red-Purple            72C. Margin near Red-Purple N74A. Young foliage under side:            Near R.H.S. Red-Purple 72B, thick stripes near Greyed-Purple            N186B. Thinner stripes near Greyed-Purple 186A, 186B and            186C, colors present separately. Margin near Red-Purple            N74A. Mature foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Main color near            Greyed-Purple N186D. Thin mid stripes and margins near            Red-Purple N74A Mature foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Main            color near Greyed-Purple N186D. Thin mid stripes and margins            near Red-Purple N74A Venation: Type: Parallel. Venation            coloration: Identical/Indistinguishable from foliage.        -   Petiole.—Not present, sessile.-   Flower: Flowering has not been observed, and is not commercially    important in this cultivar.-   Other characteristics    -   -   Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to            diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.        -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance.—Observed to tolerate            temperatures to 35° C. without any negative effects.            Temperature tolerance above this range has not been            observed. Tolerance of cold temperatures have not been            observed.        -   Fruit/seed production.—Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Neoregelia plantnamed ‘VD001’ as herein illustrated and described.